Hank Gaskell conquers the 2009 Xcel Pro in Sunset

In a tough final heat of 4 Sunset specialists, Gaskell, 23, showed poise, patience, and smart wave selection to edge out runner-up Pancho Sullivan, third place Myles Padaca, and fourth place finisher Shane Beschen.

"It's an amazing start for my winter - I've never had a result this good in my life," the soft-spoken Gaskell told Xcel after the winner's ceremony on the beach.

Sunday's NW swell declined only slightly for the morning's semi-finals and finals heats, with Sunset clean and delivering 6' to 10' faces on the west peak. Swell conditions and extended heat times challenged competitors to be patient and find workable faces with scoring potential.

Solid off-the-top turns put Gaskell ahead of last year's Xcel Pro winner Pancho Sullivan, whose trademark frontside hacks weren't enough to get him past the up-and-comer from Hana. Gaskell's consistently steady performances produced heat wins in Rounds 2, 3, and the quarterfinals, silently working his way into a final where Sullivan appeared to have the momentum needed to defend his '08 Xcel Pro championship.

Displaying an aggressive, determined style that made him a standout through the competition, Sullivan seemed poised for a record fifth Xcel Pro title. However, 35 minutes and some open-face sets gave Gaskell the opportunities needed to earn his first big WQS win.

"I felt good out there today," Gaskell continued. "I was trying to get the middle runner waves and just do my own thing."

Scoring waves from all four finalists led to a tight call as the winner was unclear until the beachside ceremony's check and lei presentation.

Gaskell will appear next in the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which continues the North Shore winter season at Haleiwa with the Reef Hawaiian Pro from November 12 through 23.